By SHAABAN MAKOKHA
February 21, 2026| A multi-billion-shilling gold discovery in Ikolomani that promised prosperity has instead ignited tensions, leaving a trail of deaths, injuries, and deep-seated anxiety among local communities facing possible displacement.
As Shanta Gold Kenya Limited moves to establish commercial mining operations in the Isulu and Bushiangala gold belt—home to an estimated 1.27 million ounces valued at approximately Sh683 billion (USD5.3 billion)—local leaders are now raising the red flag, demanding fair compensation, environmental safeguards, and respect for community rights.
What should have been a moment of collective celebration has descended into conflict. Since the government announced plans to develop industrial mining in the area, violent clashes have erupted, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries. At the heart of the unrest lies a profound fear: that progress will come at the cost of ancestral land, heritage, and livelihoods.
More than 800 households now face potential eviction from the 337 acres earmarked for mining. Residents argue that the compensation package—reportedly set at Sh3 billion—is inadequate. Local artisanal miners, who have extracted gold from these lands for generations, are fighting to retain control of their sites, warning that large-scale operations will wipe out their only source of income.
The controversy has also put state agencies on the spot. The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the Ministry of Mining face accusations of conducting flawed environmental impact assessments and failing to meaningfully consult the community.
“We cannot allow economic interests to override the rights of people who have lived on this land for centuries,” said Ms Hadija Nganyi, a Commissioner with the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA). She insists that underground mining, not surface extraction, is the only way to balance development with justice.
“If the investor cannot demonstrate readiness to mine underground with modern equipment, they should not be issued a license,” Ms Nganyi added, urging strict adherence to the Mining Act 2016.
Under the Act, 3 percent of gross gold sales will be paid as royalties. Of this, the National Government retains 70 percent (Sh14 billion), the county receives 20 percent (Sh4 billion), and the local community gets 10 percent (Sh2 billion) channelled through development projects. Additionally, the investor must contribute 1 percent of the total output value directly to the host community under the Community Development Agreement Regulations.
Ms Nganyi further called on the investor to submit a written plan detailing local employment preferences, capacity-building programmes, and a roadmap for absorbing artisanal miners whose skills remain vital to the region’s mining heritage.
At the Kakamega County Assembly, Speaker James Namatsi confirmed that two petitions have been filed to redefine the future of mining in the county. He urged leaders to unite and push for structured, transparent public participation.
“We must go back to the drawing board and ensure every voice is heard. The people must understand the benefits, and their concerns must shape the outcome,” said Mr Namatsi. He also called on the Ministry of Mining to enforce strict safeguards for water sources, agricultural land, and biodiversity.
Assembly members have demanded that the mining company produce geospatial maps with precise coordinates to guide planning and accountability.
Mining Principal Elijah Kimtai has assured stakeholders that no license will be issued until all parties—including the community—reach an amicable agreement.
“Shanta Gold won a 25-year mining tender, but that is not automatic. We will engage the community fully, and everything will be conducted according to the law,” Mr Kimtai affirmed.
As the standoff continues, the Ikolomani gold project stands as a stark reminder of the promise—and peril—of resource-led development. The leaders’ message is clear: the wealth beneath the ground must not bury the rights of those who live above it.